African Union and CARICOM Reparations Mechanisms[1] Hold First Joint Meeting Operationalizing a Joint Mechanism on Reparative Justice

Share:

juin 17, 2026

The African Union Commission’s through its Directorate for Citizens and Diaspora Organizations (CIDO) and the CARICOM Secretariat co-convened the first joint meeting of the three principal mechanisms established by both regional bodies to advance reparatory justice: the African Union Committee of Experts on Reparations (AUCER), the African Union Reference Group of Legal Experts on Reparations (AULER), and the CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC). The virtual meeting brought together the Members of the mechanisms from Africa and the Caribbean, coordinated by the CIDO and the CARICOM Secretariat.

Amb. Amr Aljowaily, Director for Citizens and Diaspora Organizations said taht the meeting is in implementation of AU Assembly Decisions 847 and 884 of February 2023 and 2024 respectively, which called for the establishment of an African Caribbean Joint Mechanism on Reparative Justice, based on the resolve of the Global African Diaspora Summit held in South Africa in 2012. “The meeting was guided by the landmark Addis Ababa Declaration on the Transcontinental Partnership in Pursuit of Reparatory Justice, which was adopted at the Second Africa-CARICOM Summit on 7 September 2025”, he added.

Participants described the meeting as a milestone, reflecting the convergence of more than two decades of sustained institutional and advocacy work following the 2001 Durban World Conference Against Racism. The three mechanisms reviewed their respective mandates and frameworks, examined the CARICOM 10-Point Plan for Reparatory Justice, and identified areas for collaboration spanning research and knowledge exchange, legal strategy, coordinated diplomatic engagement, education and cultural programming, and civil society inclusion.

It was convened in preparation for the International High-Level Consultative Conference taking place in Accra form 18-19 June 2026 on UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/80/250, which recognised the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.

The meeting agreed to establish a trilateral coordination structure, with quarterly meetings of the joint Bureau of the three mechanisms and at least one annual plenary of the full membership. CIDO and the CARICOM Secretariat were tasked with establishing joint communication channels, finalising a matrix of collaborative activities, and assigning focal points in implementation of the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between the two secretariats.

Notes to Editors:

African Union Committee of Experts on Reparations (AUCER): Established by AU Assembly Decision 884. Mandated to develop a Common African Position on Reparations and a Continental Reparatory Programme of Action. Composed of 19 multidisciplinary regional experts.

African Union Reference Group of Legal Experts on Reparations (AULER): Established concurrently with AUCER by Decision 884. Composed of eleven regional legal experts, mandated to provide rigorous, legal advice in support of AUCER and AU organs in support of the reparations agenda.

CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC): An umbrella body of national reparations commissions of CARICOM Member States, plus civil society associate members. Established in 2013. Operates under the strategic guidance of a Prime Ministerial Subcommittee on Reparations. Developed the CARICOM Ten Point Plan for Reparatory Justice and its revisions.

The Addis Ababa Declaration on the Transcontinental Partnership in Pursuit of Reparatory Justice was adopted at the Second Africa–CARICOM Summit on 7 September 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/80/250 was adopted on 25 March 2026.

For more information:

Mrs Nivedita Bauhadoor-Pillay Ponisamy | Policy Officer | Citizens and Diaspora Directorate | African Union Commission | Email: PonisamyN@africanunion.org

Media enquiry:

Mr. Molalet Tsedeke | Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission I Email: Molalett@africanunion.org I Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africanunion.org